A martial arts academy in Basford which helps refugees and young people off the streets has opened a brand new venue.

Daniyaal's Martial Arts Academy (DMAA), founded by Daniyaal Davis four years ago, has moved into an old cotton mill warehouse in High Church Street after years of operating out of community centres.

Mr Davis, 33, said his aim was to get young people off the streets he now trains more than 150 students, including six refugees who train for free.

The teaching assistant of 10 years is also planning on starting workshops to tackle issues such as knife crime, teaching "resilience, discipline and respect" in these "ever-darkening times".

Mr Davis emphasised that the community came together to help establish the academy in its very own venue.

A class takes place at the Daniyaal Martial Arts Academy in High Church Street, New Basford. (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

He said: "We would not be here without the community. Before, when we were operating out of the community centres, we were not always guaranteed the venue as other things took priority over us.

"It was taking us so long to pack up all the mats and equipment. The warehouse used to be an old gym and a friend of mine who owns it let me use part of it. We've put in a new office and a brand new floor.

"The community came together to donate. We had 125 people donate £10 each for the new mats and I have put in some of my own savings. People have helped to paint. It has been fantastic and it's almost happened over night."

Donations have also flooded in from numerous local businesses, including Midnight Pharmacy in Alfreton Road, Hyson Green.

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Tas Bhatti, 46, the owner and manager, said the business has donated up to £3,000 every year for the last three years.

Mr Bhatti, whose daughters Fiezah, 13, and Imaan, 11, attend DMAA, said: "He has made a lot of really good progress with the local community, particularly the refugee community as well.

"Being in the medical profession, I'm glad to see children getting off their iPads and phones to get active.

"I've been very pleased to see the development of the academy as my daughters have been attending since the very start. They love it.

"I'm confident that it will continue to grow as it has been doing quite rapidly. The local community have responded really well to it."

Founder and director Daniyaal Davis pictured at the Daniyaal Martial Arts Academy in High Church Street, New Basford. (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Mr Davis hosts sessions for adults, children and now holds women-only sessions hosted by a multi-skilled female instructor, and said he has been training and coaching within the world of martial arts for a long time.

He said: "I've been in martial arts since I can remember. Unfortunately I had to have an operation on my shoulder about eight years ago and had to stop for a bit. I had to have rubber bands in my arm to basically stop it from falling off.

"When I started as an assistant at a school, they offered me an after-school club and I began to get involved with the community again and it has all gone from there.

"I'm just so grateful for the community who see what we are trying to do. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the community."

He says it is not about him and his journey, but the young people who benefit from training at DMAA.

Upon support from numerous sponsors, such as Nottingham Islam Information Point and Knightsbridge Solicitors, Mr Davis will be making the "difficult" decision of taking a select few to the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame awards which take place in Doncaster this coming May.

Mr Davis said: "We will now be able to nominate and take some of our amazing students to the ceremony without the burden being put on the parents.